How do I become a PI in Florida?

I would like to work as a private investigator from home, taking on small cases of finding lost friends or that sort of thing. I've got a full-time job so I'm only looking to do this on my own and I don't want to work for a company.

Could someone tell me what I can do to become a PI? Is it possible to work from your home or do you have to work for a pi firm first? I've always loved the challenge so I think it would be a good hobby for me and a interesting way of making additional income to pay off my student loans.

Do they have online companies that would allow me to search for people via the internet? I mean, do those online companies hire people?

I've been a PI for about 10 years. I'm licensed up and down the eastern seaboard from New York down to Florida. I work for a nationwide company and would NOT work for myself. Most investigatory working for themselves are always chasing down money from non paying clients. I'm a resident of North Carolina and if I remember correctly, Florida's requirements are much the same as North Carolina's requirements. You have to have several thousands of hours documented proof of working in the field. I believe you get credit of a couple hundred hours if you were once a police officer. I also believe that much like North Carolina you can NOT be a PI and a police officer at the same time... I may be wrong. If you have more questions, feel free to email me and I will look into it further for you.